Federal Register #2026-11017

NOAA NMFS Announces 2026 Regulatory Closures for Snowy Grouper and Drift Gillnet Fisheries

This notice announces temporary regulatory closures by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA under the Department of Commerce, to protect marine resources in federal waters: - Government Buyer: - Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) - Offices: NMFS Southeast Regional Office and West Coast Region - Closures and Regulatory Actions: - Recreational fishing for snowy grouper in South Atlantic Federal waters is closed for the 2026 season to prevent exceeding the annual catch limit - Bag and possession limits for snowy grouper set to zero during closure - Large-mesh drift gillnet fishing is prohibited off southern California (Pacific Loggerhead Conservation Area) during summer 2026 to protect endangered North Pacific loggerhead sea turtles during predicted El Niño conditions - No products or commercial services are being procured; these are regulatory actions - No OEMs or commercial vendors are involved—only federal agencies are mentioned - Notable Requirements: - Closures are based on scientific assessments and are intended to protect overfished or endangered species - Applies to all recreational and commercial fishers in the specified federal waters - Locations: - South Atlantic Federal waters (for snowy grouper closure) - Southern California Bight, Pacific Loggerhead Conservation Area (for drift gillnet closure)

Description

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) implements an accountability measure and closure for the recreational harvest of snowy grouper in South Atlantic Federal waters for 2026. The 2026 recreational fishing season length is reduced to prevent landings from exceeding the annual catch limit, as occurred in 2025. The closure is effective from 12:01 a.m. local time on June 7, 2026, until 12:01 a.m. local time on January 1, 2027, with a zero bag and possession limit during this period. This temporary rule aims to protect the snowy grouper resource in the South Atlantic.

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